Man admits 'sheep burning' prank

A 24-year-old man who set fire to an RAF pilot who was dressed as a sheep, has admitted causing grievous bodily harm.

Philip Buckingham was a party guest of trainee pilots when he lit the costume at Linton-on-Ouse air base, North Yorkshire, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Martin Geraghty, 26, suffered 13% burns in the prank in November last year.

Buckingham, of Fletton Avenue in Peterborough, received a one-year jail term, suspended for a year.

He was also fined £7,500, ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and pay £900 costs.

This was indeed a reckless prank committed in circumstances where you had not considered the consequences Judge Brian Forster

The court heard how Buckingham, who works in research and development for Anglia Water, had attended the rural themed fancy dress party dressed as a country gent.

The graduation party featured a traditional piano burning ceremony, started in World War II by Spitfire pilots. and it was shortly after this that the burning incident occurred.

Dan Cordey, prosecuting, said Mr Geraghty attended the graduation party and had drank four pints of lager and some spirits.

"He went outside and noticed the piano burning ceremony had started," Mr Cordey told the court.

'Stupid idea'

Buckingham and two friends from university who were training at the air base were watching and they talked about how a member of staff burnt his hands jumping over the embers.

"It led to a discussion about what would happen to Martin Geraghty if he attempted the feat in his fancy dress costume - the consensus was it was a stupid idea," Mr Cordey said.

But then Buckingham took a lighter from his pocket and set fire Mr Geraghty's costume.

Mr Geraghty, who was still training at the time, rolled himself on the floor in an attempt to put the flames out.

He received skin grafts and will be scarred for life, but managed to complete his course, the court heard.

Buckingham admitted to police he was so drunk he could not remember the incident.

Judge Brian Forster said: "It is quite clear from the information available to the court that this was indeed a reckless prank committed in circumstances where you had not considered the consequences of what you were about to do."